Public Safety

Key Trends

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Public safety is a critical component of community well-being. In this section, we highlight the trends for 5 indicators of safety, including child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and crime. In all cases, comparisons to state statistics reflect the state excluding New York City.

Oneida County had a higher rate of child abuse and neglect (cases found to be credible upon investigation by authorities) than the state and Herkimer County. Oneida County’s rate rose 24% since 2000. Herkimer County’s rate in 2012 was 19% lower since 2000 and lower than the state rate.

Reports of domestic violence rose 1% in Herkimer County and 12% in Oneida County from 2009 to 2014, 33 reports per 10,000 residents in Herkimer County and 71 in Oneida County, compared to a state rate of 44. However, tracking trends in domestic violence is especially problematic. Cases often are underreported; reporting definitions have changed over time, and reporting can be influenced by factors such as public education, outreach efforts and media publicity.

Herkimer County’s rate of serious crime has been below the state rate since 2000 and in 2014 was a level similar to 2004. Oneida County’s rate was above the state rate and had a 10% decline since 2000. Both counties have been far below the national rate for serious crimes per 10,000 residents, which include murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

Arrests for felony drug charges rose in Oneida County since 2000, increasing by 16% and dropped below the state in 2013 for the first time and remained below in 2014. Herkimer County’s rate declined by 5% and remained far below the state and the rates for its comparison counties.

However, the picture was different for arrests for felony driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) charges. Herkimer County’s rate rose by 41% since 2000 and is above the state rate. Oneida County’s rate rose by 177% from 2000 to 2014, but remained under the state.